Cardiff: Get in the festive spirit with THESE unforgettable attractions in Wales' capital

CHRISTMAS: Cardiff's famous Christmas market includes a Santa visit, shopping and more

Kicking off the fun is the city’s famous Christmas market.

Set against the backdrop of St John’s Church, you can pick up seasonal gifts including Welsh slate, love spoons, silverwork, arts and crafts and specialist food and drink from traders in the tinsel-clad wooden huts.

Plus there are plenty more shopping opportunities at the Victorian or Edwardian arcades – guaranteed to give you that festive feeling.

The Morgan Quarter and the Royal Arcade are full of boutiques, high street favourites and eateries.

Meanwhile, festive films Polar Express, Bad Santa and Elf will be shown at Duke Street Arcade on December 21, 22 and 23.

Cardiff’s St David’s centre boasts top-notchshops with a huge John Lewis, all your favourite stores and a smattering of designer names.

After you’re all shopped out, head over to City Hall Lawns and visit Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland.

With an undercover ice rink, German bierkeller, alpine market and funfair, there’s plenty to do.

If your child is a fan of Disney film Frozen, they are in for a treat with two themed Saturdays on November 25 and January 6.

They can meet their favourite characters, while skating on the rink to the fi lm’s soundtrack. What Elsa could you ask for? There are plenty of reasons to visit the Welsh capital at any time of the year – especially if you are a sports, art or history fan.

The Principality Stadium is the centrepiece of the city and a tour takes you behind the scenes, following in the footsteps of the sportsmen and women – and music stars – who have played there.

The first stop is the 11 international honours boards featuring the name of every Welshman who’s represented the country.

Our guide told us about the fi rst rugby match between England and Wales, when Wales had to pluck two fellas from the crowd to make up the numbers.

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POPULAR: The National Museum Cardiff in Cathays Park is a popular attraction

Wales lost 80-0 – ouch! Dining It’s crazy to hear about the huge amounts of cash companies will spend on wining and dining their VIPs and the difference in price depending on the occasion.

A rugby match against Japan will set the host back £250 per head for a five-course meal, drinks and a stay in the box.

The worst thing is you can’t even have a drink while watching the game – booze is only allowed inside with the curtain to the outside drawn.

If you wish to rest your rear on the very same seat as Her Majesty, check out the final stop in the Presidents’ Box, where the royal family and politicians sit to watch matches. A few minutes’ walk from the stadium is Cardiff Castle.

Climb the steps to the top of the Norman keep for views over the city and marvel at the castle house and apartments (built for the loaded Bute family).

There are also wartime shelters to investigate and the Firing Line, the museum of the Welsh soldier.

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IMPRESSED: Nadine Lenge visits Cardiff's beautiful scenery

If you are still thirsting for more culture after the castle, head to the National Museum Cardiff in Cathays Park.

The art collection alone draws visitors from all over the world with impressionist, post-impressionist, 1930s surrealism and 20th century art from Wales.

With natural history, archaeology and geology exhibitions too, there’s more than enough to keep you occupied until the end of the day.

After all that exploring, stop off for food at Elevens Bar & Grill, the bar and restaurant owned by local boy and Real Madrid footballer Gareth Bale.

This sports bar, opened with the local Brains brewery, is located opposite the castle and has 20 TV screens and two bars spread across two floors.

Legend Shirts and memorabilia are dotted all over and almost everyone stops for a snap with their own favourite piece.

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That could be Bale’s football boots from Real’s victorious 2014 Champions League final, a signed Wales shirt from the winning Euro 2016 quarter-final against Belgium or a shirt from darts legend Phil “The Power” Taylor. The food is standard, but tasty sports bar fare.